Thursday, August 14, 2008

I'm headed out to the Black Hills for a Family Reunion (Laura's side) for the weekend. I'll be hauling Mr. Bite out with me for the start of the Gut Check. I'm confident that he will kick this pig this year.

While I'm looking forward to taking the BBT through Spearfish Canyon with Laura, yesterday the realization that I wasn't going to be part of the Gut Check set in. It didn't feel good. Why do I feel so tied to this now that I've done it?

It is possible that THIS article in the Rapid City Journal didn't help. When I first read it I felt shamed:This year’s race is also a tribute to 2007 co-winner Randy Van Zee of Sheldon, Iowa, who was killed in April when he was hit by a car on a training run. Van Zee, Casper, Wyo., rider Bob Thunselle and Kevin Brady were the only solo finishers of the race last year. Thunselle is back for more this year and is racing as much for Van Zee as anything.

How did I read that paragraph? Bob Thunselle and Kevin Brady were the only solo finishers of the race last year. Thunselle is back for more this year (BUT WHERE IN THE HECK IS KEVIN BRADY?!?!?!) and is racing as much for Van Zee as anything.

That makes me feel bad in two ways: First , I'm not racing. Second, and more troubling to me personally is that I'm not honoring Randy who was not only a top tier distance rider, he was a great guy. It's going to be a long haul out to Spearfish with Mr. Bite discussing the Gut Check. I will have to just live this year through the riders that will be leaving tomorrow, and those that left yesterday on the "Hell and Back" option. Give 'em Hell boys!

Hmmm, I thought I had heard something about how training for the Gut Check last year consumed all your time and effort so you were glad you weren't doing it this year in order to spend more time at home.....

I'm an avid cyclist who uses the bicycle as much for everyday activities such as commuting to work, going to the store, as I do for pleasure. The less I pay in gas, the better I feel both mentally and physically.